INFORMATIONAL MEETING HELD FOR PLANNED RENEWABLE GAS FACILITY IN CENTER TOWNSHIP

On Monday, members of Air Liquide and the Indiana County Development Corporation held an informational meeting at the Our Lady of the Assumption Parish in Coral concerning the proposed renewable natural gas facility that’s planned for the Route 119 Business Park in Center Township.

The plant was announced back in July and will occupy Lot Two of the Business Park. It will reportedly use cow manure from local farms and use it to create biomethane, which will be injected into Peoples Natural Gas’s pipelines for residential and commercial use. Meanwhile, the solids will be returned to them to be used as cow bedding and the liquid will be used as fertilizer for crops. Farmers will receive payment for the manure, and they will also benefit from improved waste management.

Overall, community members approved of the facility and its purpose, but were concerned with potential odor, noise, traffic, and affects to property values. Another main issue was Air Liquide’s decision to use Ohio-based construction workers to build the facility.

Among those in attendance was Vicki Smith, a member of the Homer-Center School Board. She said Air Liquide previously met with board representatives to tell them their plan and address any possible concerns. She adds that, while she’s disappointed they outsourced work to other companies, she believes good things will come in the future.

Shawn Steffee, President of the South Central PA Building Trades, also said he supports the purpose of the plant, but he wishes Air Liquide utilised hometown workers for the construction and maintenance instead of out-of-state companies.

Steffee adds the door is open for them to add local workers.

Chip Stoicovy, Senior Director of the plant’s parent company Biogas Business Unit, said he understands the community’s frustrations, but they want to be a quote, “good neighbor” to Center Township and Indiana County.

Byron Stauffer of the Indiana County Office of Planning and Development said communication needs to be tighter among all entities but it was good to have representatives address concerns of the area residents.